The 2006 LIGO workshop will focus on the physics behind the exhibits at LIGO.
We'll work at the exhibits and in a classroom with simple Snack versions of the exhibits.
We'll also investigate some basic scientific inquiry techniques.
This workshop will be based on LIGO we'll do activities derived from each part of the name.
Laser: We'll look at light, its spectrum, mirrors and images, and then at lasers.
Interferometric : We'll look at interference of light and then use the Michelson Interferometer
Gravity : We'll explore gravity and tides at the Gravity Well.
Wave : We'll look at waves in coiled phonecords and at the Giant Slinky.
Observatory : And everything will be based on Inquiry, on seeing and doing.
Go to the bottom of this page to see the connections for Paul's evening performance.
Feel Temperature, Everyone will line up according to their hand temperature.
Minimag light explorations.
Locating Rays, Look at the bare bulb of a minimag light, notice the rays of light, where are they?
Afterimage: Stare ahead at a fixed point move the bare-bulb-minimag light around and study the afterimage.
Seeing Your Retina Stare at a black background, move the minimag light around and see the blood supply to your retina.
Shadow Size and Distance, Use the small lightsource of the maglite to study shadow size versus distance.
Energy Level Model
Infrared remote control, see it with a digital camera
Spectrum from a diffraction grating
Searching for spectra
Permanent Oil Slick
Soap Film in a can
Soap film colors
Soap Film interference
exhibit Soap Film Painting.
Diffraction, observe diffraction of light from a bright white point source by looking through a narrow slit.
Two slit interference model
Math Root for Two Slit Interference
Peel a CD
Visible Effects of the Invisible
Drawing Table II
Slow Waves on a phonecord
exhibit Giant Slinky
exhibit Wave Machine
Touch the Spring
Find images at a large planar mirror.
Mirrors and Left-Right reversal
Finding images using straws to look at images made by fresnel lenses
Scan a Laser mirror
Fresnel Lens and laser
Tides Gravity Well, roll marbles in a gravity well to explore tides.
Reaction Timer, drop a ruler and use the acceleration of gravity to measure your reaction time.
Exhibit, Gravity's Rainbow.
Other exhibits at LIGO
Pendulum, study period versus length
exhibit Pendulum Snake
Pendulum and a Turntable
Pipes of Pan
Paul's evening performance at LIGO
Playing the Whirly
Scientific Explorations with Paul Doherty
2 May 2006